Influences

Current Listening

Currently, I’m listening a ton to The Warning, one of the most inspiring rock bands of recent memory. A trio of sisters, from Mexico, they continue to inspire me to do better with their commitment to their craft and their audience. You won’t regret introducing yourself to their music!

Musical Influences

I have many influences that inform my musical choices. My primary influences are from the late 80s hair metal scene, including such bands as Dokken, Van Halen, RATT, Queensryche, Van Halen, Rush, Iron Maiden, Whitesnake, Winger, and Scorpions. Eventually I got into Metallica and Megadeth, as well as Trans-Siberian Orchestra. A lot of my guitar perspectives come from those bands.

George Lynch, one time guitarist for Dokken, is my favorite guitar player. For bass, I remember deciding to start learning the instrument when I saw KISS on the Creatures of the Night tour; I thought the instrument was cool. I remember learning how to play by playing along with MTV back when it actually had music videos, and my first song was Stranger in a Strange Land by Iron Maiden. That said, I think my favorite rock bass player might be Eddie Jackson of Queensryche.

It’s not all massive guitars though. I was always fond of Meat Loaf and Elton John, of Player and Dan Fogelberg, of Victor Whooten, of Lin-Manuel Miranda, and so many others. The two best concerts I ever saw were put on by Neal Diamond and Barry Manilow. Quality, engaging music will always find a way on to my playlist. I take in everything I can, and then use that to create the soundtrack playing in my head.